Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore and the political architect of that incredible city-state has died.
I lived in Singapore from '64 to '67, a tricky time for Lee because not only did he have problems with the proto-communist Barisan Socialis who were immensely popular amongst the Chinese-speaking (ie, the poor!) part of the population but also he was engineering the break-away from the Muslim-led confederation with Malaysia. In addition, there were potentially severe racial tensions on the island of Singapore between the mixed population of Chinese, Malays and Tamils.
Happily, Lee had a superb intellect allied to an iron will. He tended to use brain rather than brawn although as a (London) trained lawyer he was prepared to use the law to its fullest extent. Also, he never failed to offer himself and his government to the people for endorsement - or otherwise - at regular general elections. There are only a tiny number of political leaders post-WWII who can truly be described as 'Great Men' but Lee Kuan Yew was one of them and the modern City-State of Singapore is his memorial.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11437131/Lee-Kuan-Yew-Asian-statesman-obituary.html
He most certainly was a great man.
I visited Singapore many times back in the 70's and just loved the island.
If there were more men like him the world would be a much better place.
Posted by: Andra | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 19:44
He was an excellent ruler but like most who earn that praise he was, of course, totally ruthless. Shakespeare would have admired him, he was always in favour of rulers who ruled!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 12:23